It’s no secret that sports are a cornerstone of Platteview High School’s culture. Students who participate in sports take on more responsibility during the school year than most, spending long hours practicing honing their skills to perfection.
Multi-sport senior Trojan athletes, including but not limited to Jaxon Adams, Wyatt Adams, Brandon Bills, Broderick Brunssen, Jolee Deweese, Andre Dominguez, Iliana Spencer, Peyton Matthies, Dane Miller, Thomas Tagel, Dylan Vanderheiden, and Reiman Zebert, go above and beyond in their efforts of navigating the balance between academics and athletics throughout the school year.
Some students play sports in alternating seasons in order to better balance their busy schedules. Senior athlete Nathan Ehrke plays football in the fall and baseball in the spring. Being a multi-sport athlete definitely comes with its benefits. Ehrke described, “Playing multiple sports has helped me grow as a person because my teamwork and leadership skills have greatly improved.” These abilities are essential for navigating life outside of high school, and these Trojans have gained a head start on preparing for their future without even realizing it.
Taking on a busy schedule and more responsibilities does, of course, come with obstacles for student athletes to overcome. Participating in softball, wrestling, and tennis, Melanie Ostrander (12) has faced such difficulties, commenting, “The biggest challenge is definitely balancing the three sports I do along with all my school work and activities.” However, with motivations such as looking up to athlete idols like Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, she has persevered through whatever obstacles are thrown her way.
Personal growth and persistence are a big part of what it takes to be a successful multi-sport athlete. Students do not endure these struggles just because they can, though—there is an entertainment aspect that plays a key role in Trojan athletes’ lives. Enrique Gomez (12) plays football and soccer. Gomez remarked, “My favorite thing about playing both sports is the different people in each environment.” At each practice, bus ride, and game, bonds are formed and strengthened among players. Platteview is renowned for being a close-knit community, and athletics is a key part of that connection.
High school is often thought of as being a difficult part of a maturing teen’s life. Adding extracurriculars into the mix heightens one’s level of responsibility, and these multi-sport Trojan athletes have willingly taken on that challenge. Juggling practices, games, academics, and their personal lives, these senior multi-sport athletes are the definition of dedication and drive.
